western mass valk resources

[westsidevalk]

Anyone know a good valk mechanic in western mass or northwestern ct...

[Mr Steve]

Since Popoli closed we're kind of SoL.  Looking at either Northampton or Auburn.  What are you looking to have done?  Maybe I can help you do it.

[westsidevalk]

You hit the nail on the head...Popolis was where I went for years.

I was thinking about in case I needed something serviced, didnt know who to take it to.

Right now shes running pretty good...but its good to make a local connection

Im in westside.

Thanks

David

[Hook#3287]

David;

I'm in Brimfield, just past Palmer.   I sure miss Popoli's.  Andy is a good friend of mine and I've known him for almost 40 years.  I was sorry to hear when he and Val sold out, but he deserved a rest after running that place for as long as he did. 

I used to know some of the guys up in Northamton, but I think they've moved on.  There's Manchester Honda down in Ct, and the Auburn store looks nice.

If you get in a bind with anything and the board can't help, give me an e-mail and I'll try to help out.

Bill

BCantell@aol.com

[westsidevalk]

 

Thanks!

we like to ride out that way...esp on the way to  rt. 169 in ct.

[Mr Steve]

I'll do pretty much anything but tires myself, although now that I have a garage I am debating getting a tire changer and doing those too...especially after my last good tire deal was swatted away with an almost $200 mounting cost by Motorsports in Auburn because I didn't buy the tires there.

Anyway, I'm newly back to the area (grew up here) after nearly 20 years in eastern MA.  Where is a good place to get a sticker around here? (ie. Agawam/westside area).  Also any local bike nights (besides the big one in Springfield)?

[Hook#3287]

Tires can be a B)$#H to do, but $200.00 is alot.  Was that with removing the tires from the bike?  If so, that's not so bad, if not, that's a rip.  I've done all my own wenching including tires (except one, the first one) since I got my first Valk in 1999.  Just can't seem to pay someone good money for something I can and like doing.  I'll complain about it, but I like it.

The amount of knowledge I've gained from this web site has made it possible.

On a nice Monday night, take a ride down to Mark's Auto Parts Cruize Night held every Monday down in East Granby, Ct.  Check out the web site for info.  It's for cars, but alot of bike show also and it's very cool.

[Mr Steve]

Maybe $200 wasn't bad then, they did the removal as well, although I had to properly set the front wheel after.  Their tech didn't follow procedure and so it was not properly aligned with the disks, causing a chirping from the pad rub.

I hear you on this site, it's been a very valuable resource, although it does make me paranoid at times too (as I now own an entire spare drive train because of the talk here).   

I'll definitely head down to East Granby some Monday night.  Thanks.